Harness racing in New Zealand
Harness racing in New Zealand is primarily a professional sport which involves pacing and trotting competitions for Standardbred racehorses. The difference is the horse's gait or running style:
- pacing is where the two legs on the same side of the horse move forward at the same time, and
- trotting is where the horse moves its two diagonally opposite legs forward at the same time.
Ironically harness racing is often called trotting as that was the sport's traditional or "old school" name.
History
Trotting races were held as part of the programme of some of the galloping meetings in the Otago Southland area as early as 1864. The first totalisators were introduced about this time. They faced opposition from a curious alliance of bookmakers and anti-gambling factions but were approved by the Clubs and licensed by the Colonial Secretary. The first trotting race on a racecourse in Canterbury, in 1875, before the totalisator was introduced, the stake was only about a "tenner", but the match created a lot of interest. About 1880, Lower Heathcote Racing Club was founded, supporting gallops, but added trotting events to its programme, giving smaller stakes. Some years later the club discontinued gallops and became the Lower Heathcote Trotting Club, which gave stakes ranging from £15 to £35.The New South Wales bred, Lawn Derby, racing un-hoppled, was the first pacer to break the two-minute barrier in Australia or New Zealand when he recorded 1:59.4 at the Addington track in New Zealand in 1938.
From these early stages, the sport has developed with top races and top horses from then right up to the present day.
Prominent New Zealand pacers
The following are some of New Zealand's greatest pacers and races they have won.Key for 3-year old and Australian races:
- NZSS - New Zealand Sires Stakes
- GND - Great Northern Derby
- NZD - New Zealand Trotting Derby
- MM - Miracle Mile Pace
- HC - A G Hunter Cup
- VC - Victoria Cup
- WAPC - Western Australian Pacing Cup
| Horse | Sire | Dam | 3YO races | Auck Cup | NZ Cup | NZ FFA | Inter Dom | Major Aust. races | Other notes |
| Auckland Reactor | Mach Three | Atomic Lass, by Soky’s Atom | 2007 NZSS 1st, 2008 NZD 1st | 2009 1st | 2008 1st, 2009 5th | 2009 12th, 2012 7th | 2009 MM 6th, 2012 HC 2nd | ||
| Caduceus | U Scott | Little Ada, by Frank Worthy | 1953 NZD 1st | 1954 1st | 1956 3rd, 1958 2nd, 1959 3rd | 1956 1st, 1958 1st, 1959 1st | 1960 1st | ||
| Captain Sandy | Sandydale | Waikura, by Guy Parrish | 1948 1st, 1949 1st | 1949 2nd | 1950 1st, 1953 1st | ||||
| Cardigan Bay | Hal Tryax | Colwyn Bay, by Josedale Dictator | 1962 1st, 1963 1st | 1963 1st | 1961 1st, 1963 1st | 1963 1st | The 1st horse to win $1M. 154 starts for 80 wins & 45 places. | ||
| Changeover | In The Pocket | Chaangerr, by Vance Hanover | 2007 GND 1st, 2007 NZD 1st | 2007 4th, 2008 1st | 2008 3rd, 2009 3rd | ||||
| Chokin | Vance Hanover | Nell’s Pride, by Tuft | 1991 NZSS 1st | 1993 1st, 1994 1st | 1993 1st | 1993 1st | 1993 MM 1st, 1994 MM 1st, 1994 VC 1st | ||
| Christian Cullen | In The Pocket | Pleasant Franco, by Bo Scots Blue Chip | 1997 NZSS 1st | 1998 1st | 1998 1st | 1998 1st | |||
| Courage Under Fire | In The Pocket | Advance Debra, by Vance Hanover | 1998 NZSS 1st, 1998 GND 1st, 1999 NZD 1st | ||||||
| Delightful Lady | Tudor Hanover | Desilu, by U Scott | 1980 1st, 1981 1st | 1980 2nd | |||||
| Elsu | Falcon Seelster | Interchange , by New York Motoring | 2002 GND 1st, 2003 NZD 1st | 2003 1st, 2004 1st | 2003 2nd, 2004 2nd | 2003 3rd | 2005 1st | 2005 HC 1st, | |
| False Step | Fallacy | Dainty Direct, by Dan | 1956 NZD 1st | 1957 4th, 1958 1st, 1959 1st, 1960 1st | 1960 1st | ||||
| Flashing Red | Echelon | Courvy Kazi, by Courvosier | 2007 1st | 2006 1st, 2007 1st | 2006 2nd, 2007 4th | ||||
| Great Evander | Bill B Scott | Ayrshire Scott, by U Scott | |||||||
| Harold Logan | Logan Pointer | Ivy Cole, by King Cole | 1931 1st, 1932 1st, 1934 3rd | 1931 1st, 1934 1st, 1936 1st | |||||
| Highland Fling | U Scott | Queen Ayesha, by Frank Worthy | 1947 1st, 1948 1st | 1948 1st | |||||
| Il Vicolo | Vance Hanover | Burgundy Lass, by Noodlum | 1994 NZSS 1st, 1995 GND 1st, 1995 NZD 1st | 1995 1st, 1996 1st | 1995 1st | ||||
| I’m The mightyquinn | Washington V C | Love Sign, by Soky’s Atom | 2011 1st, 2013 1st | 2011 1st, 2012 1st, 2013 1st | |||||
| Indianapolis | Wrack | Estella Amos, by Dale Axworthy | 1932 GND 1st | 1933 1st | 1934 1st, 1935 1st, 1936 1st | 1935 1st | |||
| Johnny Globe | Logan Derby | Sandfast, by Sandydale | 1950 GND 1st, 1950 NZD 1st | 1951 2nd, 1953 2nd, 1954 1st | 1953 1st, 1954 1st | ||||
| Just An Excuse | Live Or Die | My Excuse, by Smooth Fella | 2003 1st, 2004 1st, 2005 3rd, | 2004 1st, 2005 3rd | |||||
| Lazarus | Bettor's Delight | Bethany, by Christian Cullen | 2016 GND 1st, 2016 NZD 1st | 2016 1st, 2017 1st | 2016 1st | ||||
| Lord Module | Lordship | Module, by Bachelor Hanover | 1978 5th, 1979 1st | 1978 3rd, 1979 1st, 1980 2nd | |||||
| Lordship | Johnny Globe | Ladyship, by U Scott | 1961 NZD 1st | 1964 1st | 1962 1st, 1964 3rd, 1966 1st | 1962 1st, 1964 1st, 1967 1st | |||
| Monkey King | Sands A Flyin | Tuapeka Vale, by Smooth Fella | 2005 GND 1st, | 2008 2nd, 2009 2nd, 2010 1st, | 2007 2nd, 2009 1st, 2010 1st, | 2009 1st, 2010 1st, 2011 5th | 2009 MM 1st | ||
| Noodlum | Bachelor Hanover | Deft, by Captain Adios | 1974 NZD 1st | 15 straight wins | |||||
| Our Sir Vancelot | Vance Hanover | Teeny Teeny, by Overtrick | 1997 1st, 1998 1st, 1999 1st | 1997 MM 1st, 1997 WAPC 1st, 1998 WAPC 1st | |||||
| Robalan | Lumber Dream | Elsinor, by U Scott | 1972 3rd, 1973 4th, 1974 1st, 1975 3rd | 1971 4th, 1972 1st, 1973 1st, 1974 1st | A free-legged pacer | ||||
| Robin Dundee | Hal Tryax | Cherry Blossum, by Dillon Hall | 1965 1st | 1963 2nd, 1965 2nd, 1966 2nd | 1965 1st | 1965 1st= | Dead-heated in Interdom with Jay Ar | ||
| Roydon Glen | Smooth Fella | Roydon Dream, by Lumber Dream | 1984 GND 1st | 1985 1st | 1985 3rd | ||||
| Smoken Up | Tinted Cloud | Carnlough Bay, by Camtastic | 2009 3rd, 2010 2nd, 2011 2nd | 2010 3rd, 2011 1st | 2010 MM 1st, 2011 MM 1st, 2011 VC 1st | ||||
| Terror to Love | Western Terror | Love To Live, by Live Or Die | 2012 2nd, 2013 2nd, 2014 1st | 2011 1st, 2012 1st, 2013 1st, 2014 4th | 2012 3rd, 2014 4th | ||||
| Young Quinn | Young Charles | Loyal Trick, by Hal Tryax | 1974 1st | 1973 3rd, 1974 3rd | 1973 4th, 1974 3rd | 1975 1st | 1975 MM 1st, |
Prominent New Zealand trotters
The following are some of New Zealand's greatest trotters and races they have won:| Horse | Breeding | NZ Trotting Derby / Stakes | Dominion Handicap | National Trot | Rowe Cup | Inter Dominion Trotting Championship | Notes |
| David Moss | Gekoj - Proud Countess, by Hickory Pride | 1993, 1994 | 1993 | ||||
| Easton Light | Great Evander - Beverley Light, by Light Brigade | 1972, 1974 | 1973 | 1976 | 167 starts, 36 wins and 76 placings | ||
| I Can Doosit | Muscles Yankee - Sheezadoosie, by Chiola Hanover | 2011 | 2011, 2012 | 2011, 2012 | |||
| Johnny Gee | Johnny Globe - Atone | 1965 | 1970 | ||||
| Lyell Creek | Royden Glen - Kahlum, by Noodlum | 1999, 2001, 2004 | 1999, 2000 | 2000, 2001, 2004 | 2000 | Raced in America and Europe | |
| Nigel Craig | Protector - Pipetre | 1977 | |||||
| No Response | Hodgen's Surprise - Cordsworth, by Ripcord | - | - | 1978 | 1981 | 1979 | |
| Petite Evander | Great Evander - Thearle, by Light Brigade | 21 wins in NZ, 26 wins in America and Europe, 184 starts for 47 wins world wide and over $800,000 stakes | |||||
| Ordeal | Light Brigade – Arizona, by U Scott | 1960 | 1961 | ||||
| Pride Of Petite | Royal Prestige - Petite Evander, by Great Evander | 1996, 1997 | |||||
| Take A Moment | Armbro Invasion - Nakura, by Jet D'Emeraude | 2001, 2002, 2003 | 2002, 03 | 2001 | 2001, 2003 |
Prominent people
The following are some notable people in New Zealand harness racing history:| Person | Achievements/Comments | Other horses associated with |
| James Bryce | Winning driver of 4 NZ Cups & 3 Auckland Cups | Captain Sandy, Great Hope, Sea Born, Shadow Maid |
| James Bryce Junior | Winning driver of NZ Cup & 4 Auckland Cups | Kohara, Red Shadow |
| Anthony Butt | Winning driver of 3 NZ Cups, 2 Auckland Cups & 1 NZ FFA, Inter Dominion Hall of Fame | Happy Asset, Lyell Creek, Simon Katz, Stunin Cullen, Take A Moment |
| Cecil Devine & 2 NZ FFAs. New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. | Bass Strait | |
| Tony Herlihy | Winning driver of 3 NZ Cups, 8 Auckland Cups & 7 NZ FFAs, Inter Dominion Hall of Fame, New Zealand Order of Merit | |
| Freeman Holmes | Was a champion thoroughbred jockey and standardbred driver and trainer of both codes. Winning jockey of the New Zealand Cup and driver of the New Zealand Trotting Cup & 2 Auckland Cups. | Bonilene, Frank Worthy, Grattan Loyal, Logan Pointer, Stonewall Jackson, |
| Maurice Holmes | Winning driver of 3 NZ Cups, 2 Interdominion finals, 2 Auckland Cups & 4 NZ FFAs. Drove 1666 winners over 49 years. Order of the British Empire. Son of Free Holmes | Noodlum, Pot Luck, |
| Charlie Hunter | Winning driver of Auckland Cup | |
| John Langdon | Winning driver of NZ Cup & Auckland Cup. Inter Dominion Hall of Fame | Castleton’s Pride |
| Maurice McKendry | Winning driver of Auckland Cup | |
| Sir Roy McKenzie | Winning owner of 4 Auckland Cups | Game Pride, Sundon |
| Ricky May | Winning driver of 7 NZ Cups, 2 Auckland Cups & 3 NZ FFAs. | |
| Todd Mitchell | Winning driver of 4 NZ Cups & 1 NZ FFA | |
| Reon Murtha | long-standing South Island race caller | |
| D D Nyhan | Winning driver of 3 NZ Cups, 1 Auckland Cup & 5 NZ FFAs. Son of Don Nyhan, brother of Barry Nyhan. | |
| D G Nyhan | Winning driver of NZ Cup & 3 NZ FFAs. Son of Dan Nyhan, father of Denis Nyhan & Barry Nyhan. | |
| Mark Purdon | Winning driver of 5 NZ Cups, 5 Auckland Cups & 5 NZ FFAs. Son of Roy Purdon, brother of Barry Purdon. | Pride Of Petite, |
| Roy Purdon | Father of Barry & Mark Purdon | Comedy Lad, Framalda, Hi Foyle, Luxury Liner, Melton Monarch, Scottish Charm, Sole Command, |
| Natalie Rasmussen | Winning driver of 1 NZ Cup, 2 NZ FFAs & 1 Auckland Cup | Blacks A Fake, Chase Auckland, Cruz Bromac, Ultimate Machete, Ultimate Sniper |
| Steven Reid | Baileys Dream, Gold Ace, Monkey King | |
| Jack Smolenski | Winning driver of NZ Cup & Auckland Cup | |
| Doody Townley | Winning driver of NZ Cup, 2 Auckland Cups & 2 NZ FFAs. | Bellajily, Hano Direct, Rupee, Stylish Major, Sun Chief, Tactile |
| Peter Wolfenden | Winning driver of 4 NZ Cups, 6 Auckland Cups & 2 NZ FFAs. |
Major New Zealand harness races
In New Zealand the richest and most important race is the New Zealand Trotting Cup, run for open class pacers in November at Addington Raceway. Other major races include the Auckland Trotting Cup as well as the Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile and the New Zealand Messenger Championship for four-year-olds. There are also the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby for three-year-olds, and the Dominion Handicap and Rowe Cup for trotters. The Harness Jewels raceday takes place in late May or early JuneA marquee event is the annual series which takes place between New Zealand and Australia called the Inter Dominion. The series, which includes a pacing series and a trotting series, is held yearly and rotated around the Australian State Controlling Bodies and once every four years the Inter Dominion Championships are held in New Zealand.
There is also the Australasian Pacers Grand Circuit in which each year points are awarded for placings in the major races in Australia and New Zealand to determine the overall winner.
Harness racing clubs and courses of New Zealand
Harness racing is held throughout New Zealand, including courses in some of the smaller centres. The following trotting clubs were listed in the 1972 DB Trotting Annual.The Amberley Racing Club also held trotting races at Amberley Racecourse and eventually an Amberley TC was formed and held trotting meetings. When the Amberley racecourse closed in 1973 the club then held meetings at Rangiora in February and September 1974 and conducted Equalisator meetings at its qualifying trials meetings through until 1980. The Amberley TC held its first full Totalisator meeting on the 23rd of January 1994.
Racing rules
racing differs from North American racing in that metric distances are used. Races are at distances between 1600m and 3200m.Another large difference is that in New Zealand racing the leader does not have to hand up the lead to any horse that challenges, often leaving a horse parked outside the leader in the "death seat", "the death", or "facing the breeze", as this horse covers more ground than the leader.
New Zealand races may have a field of up to 16 horses, although as numbers of horses have reduced some races will have less than 10 starters. This generally means that with the smaller tracks a "three wide train" starts as the field gets the bell at signal their final lap.
There is a system of an 'open lane' or 'passing lane'. These lanes do not operate on all tracks and have been a point of argument between many industry participants.
New Zealand horses are able to easily "cross the Tasman" to Australia, as the rules are similar.
United States and Canada
The association with trotting in New Zealand and the United States has always been strong, with much of the breeding stock coming from America. Particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, New Zealand horses competed in both Canada and the United States. The first New Zealand horse to be raced in America by a New Zealander was the trotter Vodka, the winner of the 1953 Dominion Handicap. He was taken there in 1956 by his owner, J. S. Shaw, won 11 races and was later leased to American interests.In 1960 Caduceus was the first New Zealand pacer to compete in the Yonkers International Series with his trainer-driver, J. D. Litten. Despite his nine years, Caduceus showed he was the equal of the top American horses, winning the last race of the series, only to be disqualified. He also was leased to American interests and at 10 years of age was still winning races.
False Step was driven in the Yonkers International series during the 1960–61 season by his trainer C C Devine. False Step's performances showed he was one of the greatest pacers in the world. He beat the acknowledged American champion, Adios Butler, in a 1½ mile race. He was sold in America for 115,000 dollars, the fifth-highest price paid for a pacer in the United States.
Arania also entered the series with False Step. She did not do well, but after being leased won several races and proved she was able to race with the best in America, and in fact created a record of 1 min 57 sec for 1 mile in the Lexington Red Mile.
In 1964, Cardigan Bay was to travel to America with reinsman Stanley Dancer, who paid 100,000 dollars for the horse. Cardigan Bay was already an established racehorse in New Zealand, having won the 1963 New Zealand Trotting Cup and other top races in Australia and New Zealand. He went on to win over a million dollars in the United States, the first harness horse ever to do so.